Wild Carp Classic: Unofficially, the 'Romanian guys' rule

A pair of anglers from Chicago, who describe themselves as "a couple of Romanian guys" unofficially captured the $7,000 grand prize for the most fish (weight-wise) caught in the Wild Carp Classic along the Seneca River in Baldwinsville.

Mihai Aciu and Bogdan Bucur, have led the 50-hour, catch-and release, carp fishing tournament practically from the beginning on Sunday morning. The tournament ended at 11 a.m. this morning.

The two said they've been fishing carp tournaments for more than six years together. They were born and raised in Romania. It was there, they said, they were taught to fish for carp.

"Over there carp fishing is like Bassmasters over here," Bucur said. "It's a big thing."

Jason Bernhardt, co-director of the tournament told me it appeared that Aciu and Bucur were clearly the winners with the heaviest weight total, although no final numbers were available at that time. Aciu and Bucur had caught more than 1,000 pounds of carp just before midnight Monday, he said.

Surging into second place Monday was the team of Bill Syler and Richie Eldridge of Akron, Ohio. As of midnight, the two had 744 pounds of fish to their credit. Their catch was helped by landing two 31-pounders back-to-back.

However, Jacob Ioan and Istvan Gyori, from Chicago, who also said they were born and raised in Romania, were also close to second place weight-wise this morning. It was clear at 11:30 a.m. which team took the second place prize.

In addition, to the most total weight, anglers are also vying for $1,000 prizes for the biggest fish, biggest mirror carp and Big Four (the top four fish, weight-wise out of their catch.)